Podcasts about building peace

Bridget Moix is the fifth General Secretary of the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL). She also leads two other Quaker organizations, affiliated with FCNL: Friends Place on Capitol Hill and FCNL Education Fund. She is a passionate Quaker peace advocate, activist, and mother. Bridget rejoined FCNL as General Secretary in January 2022. Early in her career, she had interned at FCNL. She actually started her career at FCNL 1996. She brings with her 25 years of work on international peace and conflict issues, with a focus on US foreign policy. Prior to joining FCNL, she served as US Executive Director of Peace Direct (2015-2021). As a teacher, she has taught courses in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and Quaker studies at several institutions, including Haverford College, Columbia University, George Washington University, American University, and Eastern Mennonite University. Bridget holds a Ph.D. from George Mason University's Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution. She focused her dissertation on understanding the motivations of local peacebuilders and how the international community can better support them. She is author of “Choosing Peace: Agency and Action in the Midst of War” (Rowman & Littlefield, 2019), and a contributing author to “Building Peace in America” (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020) as well as “The Handbook of Conflict Resolution: Theory and Practice” (Josey-Bass; 2006; 2014).

Send us a textI have been doing this healthy and positive morning routine since the beginning of this year and it has made my days so much better. dedicating the first hours of the day to you is important for your mental and physical health. rushing your mornings creates chaos throughout the day, it doesn't allow your mind to properly wake up and prepare itself for the day. I love building that positive energy and peace I need in order to have a positive day. Use my code LIS10 on your Shilajt purchase!! https://naturalshilajit.com/?platform=grin&link_id=1664506&token=iigoaPkTaiQTeolVAZlS2Qbws0V8rYNi&contact_id=5412382f-1e24-4799-8eee-470416c51ebc&attribution_window=45SHOP MY MERCH !! https://07ecdc-5d.myshopify.com/Watch the video on Youtube !  https://youtu.be/5k_ud4tJP_w?si=cTeW7V168yJIyx3C Support the podcast ! ❤️ https://www.buzzsprout.com/1981728/support  Subscribe to get the REAL DEAL from every episode ! https://www.buzzsprout.com/1981728/subscribeSubscribe to my Patreon where I post exclusive content to each Episode ! https://patreon.com/LisTalksVibesPodcast?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Follow the vibes on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/listalksvibes/?hl=enLis Talks Vibes TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@listalksvibesSubscribe to the Lis Talks Vibes CLIPS YouTube channel where I post short segments of the full podcast! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp-V4pnjcFfOzONkHgCR3sw Checkout my audio Podcast on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3TSyq7RWoplDc27T7MQZHc?si=943b284a0eff4d00Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lis-talks-vibes-podcast/id1623209652 All my main social media accounts:-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/listapiaaaa/?hl=en-TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@listapiaaa?_t=8e4Y9ZpHVH9&_r=1 Support the show

In the midst of a contentious presidential election year, many of us are feeling the need for increased peace in the world, the nation, our neighborhoods, families, and in our hearts.

Sarah R. Moore is the author of Peaceful Discipline: Story Teaching, Brain Science & Better Behavior and founder of Dandelion Seeds Positive Parenting. As a certified Master Trainer in conscious parenting and Board Chair for the American Society for the Positive Care of Children, she's also a public speaker, parent coach, armchair neuroscientist, and most importantly, a Mama. Her work has been featured on NBC, CBS, and SiriusXM, and in countless international parenting magazines. With training in child development, trauma recovery, interpersonal neurobiology, improv comedy and play, her work supports parents and caregivers around the globe.

Recorded June 19, 2024. Pastor Larry G. Stephens brings a message from Acts 19:21-41 on how the Lord builds peace in the midst of chaos. We live in the best of all possible worlds because God is sovereign. The Lord builds peace in the midst of chaos by, I. Revealing Opposition Through the Proclamation of Truth: II. The Truth Will Naturally Cause a Commotion   Welch Revivals>>> Welsh Revival 1904 (revival-library.org) Urban Revivals (D.L. Moddy) >>> A Brief History of Spiritual Revival and Awakening in America (churchleaders.com)

Continuing the idea of loving weaker believers, we look at how limiting our freedom for the sake of others is the way to walk in God's Righteousness.

Women Building Peace in Sudan: Overcoming Challenges through Local Initiatives by ALC Pan-African Radio

We invited Itonde Kakoma, the new President and CEO of Interpeace,  to talk about the mission of Interpeace – an organization that had its origins in the UN and works to prevent violence and build lasting peace. Interpeace has over 30 years of experience working in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Latin America.   In this conversation with the Director of the UN Library & Archives, Francesco Pisano, Itonde Kakoma talks about inclusive peacebuilding, a participatory approach and a vision of peace anchored in the cohesion and resilience of citizens, the diversity and inclusion of communities and the responsiveness and trustworthiness of State institutions. They discuss the obstacles around implementing the strategic aims of rethinking peace, enhancing resilience and embedding peace, as well as the nexus between peacebuilding and multilateralism. Resources Interpeace website: https://www.interpeace.org/   Where to listen to this episode  Apple podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-page/id1469021154 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/10fp8ROoVdve0el88KyFLy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ Content    Guest: Itonde Kakoma, President, Interpeace Host: Francesco Pisano Producer: Amy Smith Editing and social media designs: Mengna Chen   Recorded & produced at the United Nations Library & Archives Geneva 

Why should we connect the environment to issues of peace and conflict? And in a world of dramatically increased geopolitical tensions, is it possible for cooperation on climate change and environmental issues to contribute to positive change at the level of great power politics? In this episode, Ashok Swain (Uppsala University) and Cedric de Coning (NUPI) talk about these issues with Thor Olav Iversen (NUPI). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A delegation of young men and women from several Middle Eastern nations are in Boston, as part of a speaking tour entitled “Building Peace in Times of War”. Two of the members will join Dan tonight to discuss the prospects of peace in a region racked by conflict for decades.

A delegation of young men and women from several Middle Eastern nations are in Boston, as part of a speaking tour entitled “Building Peace in Times of War”. The discussion continued.

Joel took over the host role for a vulnerable and thoughtful conversation on the topic of forgiveness with two first-time ERB guests. They discuss their personal narratives and experiences with forgiveness, the ways dominant cultural discussions of forgiveness can distort the concept, and what they are currently reading.Books Mentioned in this Episode:If you'd like to order any of the following books, we encourage you to do so from Hearts and Minds Books(An independent bookstore in Dallastown, PA, run by Byron and Beth Borger) Forgiveness: An Alternative Account by Matthew Ichihashi PottsCormac McCarthy and the Signs of Sacrament: Literature, Theology and the Moral of Stories by Matthew Ichihashi PottsThe Seeker and the Monk: Everyday Conversations with Thomas Merton by Sophfronia ScottWild, Beautiful and Free: A Novel by Sophfronia ScottLove's Long Line (21st Century Essays) by Sophfronia ScottThe Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas MertonThe Moral Imagination: The Art and Soul of Building Peace by John Paul LederachThe Wisdom Way of Knowing: Reclaiming an Ancient Tradition to Awaken the Heart by Cynthia BourgealtMoral Failure: On the Impossible Demands of Morality by Lisa TessmanThunderstone: A True Story of Losing One Home and Discovering Another by Nancy CampbellLaRose: A Novel by Louise ErdrichThe Buried Giant by Kazuo IshiguroBe Useful by Arnold SchwarzeneggerWalk the Blue Fields: Stories by Claire KeeganSmall Things Like These by Claire KeeganFoster by Claire KeeganIf Beale Street Could Talk by James BaldwinThe Unsettled: A Novel by Ayana MathisThe Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana MathisThose We Thought We Knew by David Joy

Ash sits down with Dr Marty Branagan to discuss peace and conflict in the ongoing crisis in Palestine and Israel. Marty explains how different kinds of violence have ongoing impacts, and the role the media plays in reporting on conflict. 

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Bob Berg, the Chair of Trustees for the UK non-profit Plan for Peace, who shares insights into the importance of peacebuilding, the challenges to peacekeeping, and some of the current shortcomings on the international stage, particularly in the developing world.

Bishop Julius C. Trimble is the Resident Bishop of the Indiana Area of the United Methodist Church.Bishop Trimble has the personal mission to encourage all people with the love of Jesus Christ to rise to their highest potential. It is his commitment to his personal mission that led Bishop Trimble to create the “To Be Encouraged” Podcast along with co-host Rev.Dr. Brad Miller. Bishop Trimble says, “I am compelled by Jesus to share with you an encouraging word or two about Jesus, theology, the Bible, the pandemic, the environment, racism, voting rights, human sexuality, and the state of the United Methodist Church.” To Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble is to be published weekly and is available at www.tobeencouraged.com and all the podcast directories.https://www.inumc.org/bishop/office-of-the-bishop/In Episode 064 of To Be Encouraged Bishop Julius C. Trimble and Rev. Dr. Brad Miller speak with Rev. Angelo Mante from “Alive Community Outreach Fort Wayne” (www.AliveFW.org) about the “Peacemaker Academy”Bishop Julius C. Trimble, Rev. Dr. Brad Miller and guest Rev. Angelo Mante, discussed the importance of empowering youth to become peacemakers in their schools and communities. Through the incredible work of Alive Fort Wayne's Peacemaker Academy, they highlighted the transformative impact that young people can have when given the opportunity to lead. This episode offered valuable insights and three key takeaways for listeners.Takeaway 1: Engaging with Youth Creates Positive ChangeOne of the most significant points made in the episode is the power of engaging with youth where they are. The speakers emphasized the importance of meeting young people in their communities, listening to their struggles, and providing support. By connecting with troubled youth, Alive Fort Wayne's program was able to guide them towards positive change and empower them to become advocates for peace. This takeaway reminds us that investing time and attention into young people can create a ripple effect of positive change in their lives and the lives of others.Takeaway 2: Addressing the Triple EvilsThe episode delved into Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s concept of the "triple evils": racism, poverty, and militarism. The speakers discussed how violence in Fort Wayne, like many other communities, is concentrated in areas affected by these triple evils. To combat violence effectively, it is crucial to address the root causes and work towards eradicating these systemic issues. The Peacemaker Academy exemplifies this by engaging students in discussions about nonviolence while focusing field trips on each of the triple evils. This takeaway serves as a reminder that peace cannot be achieved without simultaneously addressing the underlying social injustices.Takeaway 3: Faith, Hope, and ActionA prevalent theme throughout the episode was the powerful role that faith plays in fueling the work of peacemaking. Both Bishop Trimble and Rev. Mante spoke about their faith in Jesus and the transformative power of the Spirit. Their belief in the eschatological present—that their work brings a glimpse of heaven to earth—provides them with hope and motivation, even in challenging times. Moreover, the speakers emphasized the importance of taking action, not just praying, to bring about meaningful change. This takeaway inspires listeners to integrate their faith with action, actively working towards creating a more peaceful and just world.Conclusion:Episode 064 of To Be Encouraged shed light on the incredible impact that youth can have when given the platform to lead and make a difference. From engaging troubled youth on a personal level to addressing the root causes of...

Stardust families demand truthThe inquest into the Stardust disaster opened in Dublin last week. The list of the dead from that terrible event in February 1981 is heartbreakingly long. The families of the 48 young people who died have been reading poignant pen portraits of their loved ones into the record of the inquest. All of those who were killed were aged between 16 and 26. Over two hundred others were injuredRepublican Women negotiators. The considerable media coverage of the 25 anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement frequently told the story of that negotiation through the words and voices of the leadership figures who participated. When the role of women in the talk's process was mentioned it was almost exclusively in the context of the participation of the Women's Coalition.While the Women's Coalition undoubtedly played its part the absence of any focus on the part played by the many women from the other parties did a disservice to their involvement. During my contribution on the first day in the panel ‘Building Peace – the Parties' that was chaired by Ambassador Nancy Soderberg I took the opportunity to read out a list of those women comrades who were consistently part of Sinn Féin's negotiating team. Coronation Once AgainThis column supports the decision by First Minister Designate  Michelle O Neill and Northern Assembly Ceann Chomairle Alex Maskey to accept the invite to attend the coronation of the English King Charles. They do so in their capacity as representatives of all the people of the North

Herds of goats, pomegranate trees in bloom, and ancient architecture are just some of the things you might witness while walking The Abraham Path, a collection of walking trails established in the past fifteen years through parts of Israel, Palestine, Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, and Iraq. But the trail is also engineered for human experiences. Connecting cities and villages, it offers the opportunity to make one-on-one connections in a contested region. It's a kind of subtle peace-building project, but it's also an economic development project, an education project, and more. The path's development, spurred by American peacebuilders, has been met with some skepticism by journalists. But as locals have taken ownership of the trail, a good deal of stories have been published that convey a sense of hope, including a cover story in a travel-themed issue of The New York Times Magazine in April 2022. Our guests for this episode are Joshua Weiss, a peacebuilder and co-founder of The Abraham Path Initiative, and Anisa Mehdi, the Executive Director of the project and a veteran broadcast journalist. This episode originally published in June 2022. Donate to help Abraham Path homestay hosts and guides rebuild in Southeast Turkey and Syria.HOW TO RATE AND/OR REVIEW MAKING PEACE VISIBLEIn Apple Podcasts on iPhone Tap on the show name (Making Peace Visible) to navigate to the main podcast pageScroll down to the "Ratings and Reviews" sectionTo leave a rating only, tap on the starsTo leave a review, tap "Write a Review"In Spotify(Note: Spotify ratings are currently only available on mobile.)Tap on the show name (Making Peace Visible) to navigate to the main podcast pageTap on the star icon under the podcast description to rate the showIn Podcast Addict(Note: you may need to sign in before leaving a review.)From the episode page: On the top left above the show description, click "Post review."From the main podcast pageTap "Reviews" on the top left.On the Reviews page,  tap the icon of a pen and paper in the top right corner of the screen.Making Peace Visible is a project of War Stories Peace Stories. Our mission is to bring journalists and peacebuilders together to re-imagine the way the news media covers peace and conflict, and to facilitate expanded coverage of global peace and reconciliation efforts. Join the conversation on Twitter: @warstoriespeaceMaking Peace Visible is hosted by Jamil Simon, and produced by Andrea Muraskin. Music in this episode is by One Man Book, Doyeq, and Les Portes Du Futur. 

My guest today is Ye-Min Wu, who is the South & Southeast Asia Director at the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue. Ye-Min joined HD earlier this year after more than 15 years as a diplomat representing Singapore at the United Nations, World Intellectual Property Organization, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change as well as the World Trade Organisation. She has also chaired UN negotiations and represented the Group of 77 (plus China) in talks on sustainable development issues. She joins me today to discuss how multilateral negotiations are conducted and explains some of the challenges as well as opportunities inherent in the process. Some of the topics we covered are: Ye-Min's path into diplomacy Managing the ‘negotiation theatre' Finding the win-win solution Building trust and credibility in negotiations  Connecting to the ‘other' and the importance of warmth How multilateral negotiations are conducted The difference between a nation's bargaining position and its interests How to successfully negotiate in Asia Challenges of growing militarisation and insecurity in Asia How Asian nations are managing China's rise Why peace agreements often fail Ye-Min's greatest fear and hope If you like what you've heard, please consider liking and reviewing the show wherever you get your pods. You can also support the show on our Patreon page here.

Welcome to NASCO Moments Podcast.This episode is titled "Building Peace at Community Level - The Rate of the Individual as a Peace Catalyst"Our guest is Mr Joseph Lengman - Director General Plateau Peace Building Agency Happy Listening NASCO Group Click Here to follow us on Instagram

Nellie Harden is a Family Life & Leadership Coach who focuses on helping parents eliminate power struggles with their daughters and help them grow into confident, wise, and respectful young women that are actually ready for the world! Nellie is a wife and mom to 4 daughters, an author, speaker, podcaster, homeschooling parent, and adventure chaser. She has a degree in biology and psychology and a diverse behavior background from humpback whales in the South Pacific to teens and parents in homes across the world. This mom believes in a life of intention and making dreams and goals realities. She knows that the best way to help the world is through one living room at a time! Listen & Subscribe on: iTunes / Stitcher / Podbean / Overcast / Spotify Contact Info Website: www.nellieharden.com Podcast: The 6570 Family Project Most Influential Person Brené Brown Effect on Emotions Instead of emotions, being in the driver's seat, I've been able to step back and see where the emotions are coming from because before they're an emotion, it's a thought. So if we look at our thoughts more as a busy airport, and we're taking the ones and sitting in the plane, if you will, of the ones that we're choosing, and then we're on the flight, we're actually feeling something about it, we have power over that choice, right. I know emotions can get carried away super quickly. I've definitely experienced that today. But understanding that I am choosing to have this, and I have a lot more control than I ever thought I did before has been very empowering. Because you can step out of the emotion then, and look at it from a third-party point of view, instead of just being in it and having them rule you. And then your behavior, if you're sitting just inside of the emotion, is all over the place. So Thoughts on Breathing I think breathing is so important. I like to do this square breathing. That's the way that helps me, it has a visual with it. So I'm a very visual person, a visual learner. So if I can, breathe in the top out and then in and out and just keep going around the square, it gives me something to focus on in my head. And you can always find usually always find a square around you somewhere. So So I do a lot of square breathing. It's also being able to cleanse your brain because thinking about when you're watching a movie or a suspenseful part or something like that. So many times I find myself not breathing. That's a good clue right there that when I'm stressed when my emotions are high, I'm actually not breathing. So And so when everything gets calm, you're like, Oh, thank goodness. Right. And so that's a natural cue to me that if I want to be in a state of calm, then I should breathe as though I am calm.  So Suggested Resources Book: Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience By Brene Brown Book: The 12-Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months By Brian Moran App: Hormonology Menstrual Cycle Tracker Bullying Story I've been on the side of bullying. I was never popular. I went to middle school with perm bangs and straight hair. I believe I was in seventh grade which is a hard time for everybody. build peace into parenting So there was a boy, I really, really liked him and he was part of the popular crowd. And so the word got around that I liked him. And he so he wrote me a note. And he said, meet me by your locker at such and such a time. And I really, I really want to talk to you and had a heart on it. So I primped my permed bangs and went all there and stood at the locker. And at that point, there was a crowd. I mean, this was like an after-school special-type story. But anyway, he came up. And he just said, “Did you really think that I would like you, of course, I don't, and walked away.” And then everyone was just laughing and, of course, I was crushed. I was so embarrassed. And then I had to go to school with these people for the next seven years. That was always such a gleaming story in my head. I had to keep going to class, I had to keep going to school, I had to keep saying hello to these people and not be rude. Funny enough, we're Facebook friends today, you only behave out of what you know. build peace into parenting Related Episodes Debbie Cundy Owen: Skilled Life Coach Resolves Family Conflicts and Stress Connect With Family Through Mindfulness, Says Orlando Magic Cameraman, Clem Harrod Three Keys To Juggling Work and Family; Connie Benjamin Special Offer Are you experiencing anxiety & stress? Peace is within your grasp. I'm Bruce Langford, a practicing coach and hypnotist helping fast-track people just like you to shed their inner bully and move forward with confidence. Book a Free Coaching Session to get you on the road to a more satisfying life, feeling grounded and focused. Send me an email at bruce@mindfulnessmode.com with ‘Coaching Session' in the subject line. We'll set up a zoom call and talk about how you can move forward to a better life.

This episode of Africa Aware explores the pathways to peace in Angola and Mozambique in their respective 20th and 30th anniversary years of the cessation of sustained conflict.   Dr Alex Vines provides a historic overview of how peace was achieved in these nations and what lessons can be learned for the modern day. Neha Sanghrajka discusses current efforts to sustain peace in Mozambique, the importance of inclusion in peacebuilding, and the unique nature of conflict mediation in Africa.

Herds of goats, pomegranate trees in bloom, and ancient architecture are just some of the things you might witness while walking The Abraham Path, a collection of walking trails established in the past fifteen years through parts of Israel, Palestine, Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, and Iraq. But the trail is also engineered for human experiences. Connecting cities and villages, it offers the opportunity to make one-on-one connections in a contested region. It's a kind of subtle peace-building project, but it's also an economic development project, an education project, and more. The path's development, spurred by American peacebuilders, has been met with some skepticism by journalists. But as locals have taken ownership of the trail, a good deal of stories have been published that convey a sense of hope, including a cover story in a travel-themed issue of The New York Times Magazine in April 2022. Our guests for this episode are Joshua Weiss, a peacebuilder and co-founder of The Abraham Path Initiative, and Anisa Mehdi, the Executive Director of the project and a veteran broadcast journalist. Making Peace Visible is a project of War Stories Peace Stories. Our mission is to bring journalists and peacebuilders together to re-imagine the way the news media covers peace and conflict, and to facilitate expanded coverage of global peace and reconciliation efforts. Join the conversation on Twitter: @warstoriespeaceMaking Peace Visible is hosted by Jamil Simon, and produced by Andrea Muraskin. Music in this episode is by One Man Book, Doyeq, and Les Portes Du Futur. 

Nana and Bradley are joined by Dr. Sharyn Clough to discuss how she uses peace literacy skills to help teach the connections between cognitive biases and structural injustice.

Join Brother Paolo Nicosia as he masterfully tells stories of healing and reconciliation woven together with offering practical principles and skills to strengthen our own abilities to be peacebuilders and reconcilers today.   From Brother Paolo's interview: A summary of Principles and Skills of Mediation and Peace Building: --A pluralistic vision of the community, seeking unity among diversity. --An inclusive and compassionate attitude, because the tendency often, especially nowadays is being exclusive, I'm part of this group against another group; either you are in or you're out. --A pacific and non-violent approach. … This is the way to transform conflicts.  --At the broader level, a commitment for social justice, being charitable to others, but also on a level that can be justice for all, not just for some that want a privileged life. --Also healing wounds and memories, because every time we have some misunderstanding or some real conflicts, there are wounds; the bad memories can be healed, talking, sharing and understanding each other, like in the restorative justice process, very famous in South Africa. --From a spiritual point of view, … God is God, we are not. This gives a sort of relaxation, like the way of saying in Italian that I try to translate, God exists, you are not God, so relax. --Finally, in the Atonement charism of reconciliation with God, other human beings and the self is expressed especially in two ways, two ministries. One is social and the other is ecumenical. So, ecumenically, through a dialogue seeking unity among diversity; the other, social ministry, especially for addictions.   “Being always oriented to problem solving, and if it is not possible to solve problems, accepting reality, like Francis with the Sultan. … Not to be fearful of leaving with extreme differences.  Again, Francis was doing this all the time with all kinds of different people, and we can do nowadays, basing our relationship on trust, healing the past, if the case happened that this trust was threatened or misunderstood in some ways. We use non-violent communication, listening a lot and talking in a very clear and understandable way to others. These are very simple, but very useful way of living the Franciscan spirituality in our daily lives.”   “This approach can be applied for every kind of conflict, either grassroots or international conflicts. The wisdom of Franciscan agents of reconciliation, it could be Christian, or it could be everybody, is that everybody can be one; in every life is a facilitator for the transformation and integration of inner and outer conflicts to reconcile with the self, the others and God. … If we follow Jesus Christ or a peace approach, first of all, be inclusive. … The vision of accomplishment of peace can be a source of hope, and a realization of this being meant to be one. That is a bit of our name: At-one-ment, but it's also the gospel of John.”   For a full transcript, please include episode number and email: fslfpodcast@fslf.org.   References:   Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, Assisi, Graymoor: https://www.atonementfriars.org/our-mission-history/  … We believe in…transforming conflict by being instruments of justice and peace, honoring and embracing the dignity of all people, living “minimum for self, maximum for God,” being stewards of God's Creation and, ministering to those in need of physical and spiritual healing. We partner with those who share our values. We exist as a Catholic religious community to invite the world to join us in the quest for healing and reconciliation. We do this by living, embracing and fostering the Franciscan spirit of At-One-Ment which includes: the unity of all; and the healing of the broken and those who have lost their way. We joy in God. Two of the friars' key ministries: St. Christopher's Inn: See https://www.atonementfriars.org/healing-ministries/#stchristophersinn and Ecumenical Ministries and Interfaith Dialogue: https://www.atonementfriars.org/ecumenical-interfaith-dialogue/   Stories Francis and the Sultan al-Kamil, 1219 Crusades:  A contemporary telling of the story: https://cac.org/francis-and-the-sultan-2019-10-10/ . An original source: The Life of Saint Francis XX:57, by Thomas of Celano at: https://www.franciscantradition.org/francis-of-assisi-early-documents/the-saint/the-life-of-saint-francis-by-thomas-of-celano/672-fa-ed-1-page-231#ges:searchword%3Dsultan%26searchphrase%3Dall%26page%3D1  Francis and the Wolf of Gubbio: A contemporary reflection on this story: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/franciscan-spirit-blog/st-francis-and-the-taming-of-the-wolf . An original source: The Life of Saint Francis XX:57, by Thomas of Celano at: https://www.franciscantradition.org/francis-of-assisi-early-documents/the-saint/the-life-of-saint-francis-by-thomas-of-celano/672-fa-ed-1-page-231#ges:searchword%3Dsultan%26searchphrase%3Dall%26page%3D1 What are ‘The Troubles', referenced in the Irish Cultural Center story? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Troubles   What is Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), Negotiation and Mediation? https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/alternative_dispute_resolution . See also the Harvard Negotiation Project: https://www.pon.harvard.edu/about/our-mission/   Tools/Resources in English by Brother Paolo: Faith-based Peacebuilding: Insights from the Three Main Monotheisms – you can download it here: https://www.athensjournals.gr/social/2017-4-1-1-Nicosia.pdf and Ecumenical Tools for Christian Based Reconciliation – if you would like a copy of this article, please email your request to fslfpodcast@fslf.org including the episode number and the name of this article.    Artisans of Peace, Pope Francis: see https://www.americamagazine.org/issue/pope-become-artisans-peace-your-daily-lives  

Patreon supporters receive early access to listen and download the full uncut conversation from our weekly episodes.The latest peace talks in the Russia-Ukraine war may lead to an eventual ceasefire but not before displacing millions and damaging the air, water and land of what was known as the bread basket for the world. This week, we've assembled a roundtable of human rights advocates from Ukraine, Russia & the United States to discuss the ongoing conflict and who highlight models of local resistance and support. Our guests have been working for democracy in Ukraine, Russia, and the US for years and partnering with efforts across the world. What do Ukrainian and Russian comrades see as possible pathways to peace and justice, and what does global solidarity look like? What happens next will have long lasting impacts on all of us.Full research and reading list to further delve into the conversation is available here at Patreon.Guests:• Phyllis Bennis, Director, New Internationalism Project-Institute for Policy Studies (IPS); Fellow of the Institue for Policy Studies in Washington; Author of several books published by Interlink Publishing• Anastasiya Leukhina, Trainer, Facilitator and Consultant. Lecturer, visiting Professor at the Kyiv School of Economics• Dmitri Makarov, Human Rights Defender, Council Member Moscow Helsinki Group *Highlight of Books by Phyllis Bennis:• Before & After: U.S. Foreign Policy and the September 11th Crisis, read more here• Challenging Empire: People, Governments and the UN Defy U.S. Power, read more here• Understanding the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, A Primer, read more here• Understanding the US-Iran Crisis, A Primer, read more here(*Bookshop is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. The LF Show is an affiliate of bookshop.org and will receive a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.)

The latest peace talks in the Russia-Ukraine war may lead to an eventual ceasefire but not before displacing millions and damaging the air, water and land of what was known as the bread basket for the world. This week, we've assembled a roundtable of human rights advocates from Ukraine, Russia & the United States to discuss the ongoing conflict and who highlight models of local resistance and support. Our guests have been working for democracy in Ukraine, Russia, and the US for years and partnering with efforts across the world. What do Ukrainian and Russian comrades see as possible pathways to peace and justice, and what does global solidarity look like? What happens next will have long lasting impacts on all of us.“The Ukrainian war is a global war. It's not just a territorial conflict, and I think we all have to understand that.”  -Anastasiya Leukhina“We still need citizen mobilization. We still need transnational connections . . . there is hope in us realizing that failure, looking at the roots of it and building on the great things that are happening, despite all the horror that's going on.”  -Dmitri Makarov“There won't be civil society present at the table until we have a civil society that is more of a presence in demanding it. That diplomacy must be real, not just a slogan. We need real mobilization.” -Phyllis BennisGuests:Phyllis Bennis, Director, New Internationalism Project-Institute for Policy StudiesAnastasiya Leukhina, Lecturer, Kyiv School of EconomicsDmitri Makarov, Human Rights Defender, Council Member Moscow Helsinki Group Full episode notes including related articles and LFShow episodes to watch and/or listen to are posted at https://Patreon.com/theLFShow. Patreon Members receive access to the FULL UNCUT CONVERSATION featured in this podcast.  Please become a Patreon Supporter and support independent media as we kick off our 3rd season on Public Television with a reach of over 3 million households across the U.S.

Jon Huckins is a pastor and Co-Founding Director of The Global Immersion Project, a peacemaking training organization helping individuals and communities move toward conflict equipped to heal rather than to win. He has a Masters from Fuller Theological Seminary in Theology and Ethics; and he writes for publications such as USA Today, Red Letter Christians, Sojourners, and Relevant. He is also the author of Mending the Divides: Creative Love in a Conflicted World, Thin Places: Six Postures for Creating and Practicing Missional Community, and Teaching Through the Art of Storytelling.    LINKS The Global Immersion Project: https://globalimmerse.org Christian Peacebuilding Network: https://www.facebook.com/groups/christianpeacebuildingnetwork/ Everyday Peacemaking Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-peacemaking/id1531330038 Edited and produced by Nicole Gibson Music: Shesh Pesh by JR Tundra  

An ex-Farc fighter talks about her struggle to integrate into Colombian society after she laid down arms five years ago. Leading women peace builders discuss whether the historic 2016 peace accord delivered on its promises to help women and communities across the country.

After a lesson on the false-consciousness of people who overuse false-consciousness Mike Prysner of Empire Files joins us to discuss Ukraine, Afghanistan, and the Red Hill fuel storage facility in Hawaii. Then David talks to Andrew R. Hairston who is running for Justice of the Peace in Travis County on what a DSA/abolitionist can bring to that office.

Women working to help communities caught up in Ethiopia's brutal war talk about the immense challenges they face on the ground, and we hear the story of "Tsega", who was brutally attacked after she was forced to flee from her home. A co-production by BBC and Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security.

A former NRA member, Keith shares his journey from guns into peacebuilding and what he and his wife Wendy are doing now as staff peacebuilders in El Paso, TX. Keith is a prolific podcaster and author, and his new book, Jesus Unarmed, launches in the next few weeks.  Learn more about Keith and donate to his Peace Catalyst work at https://www.peacecatalyst.org/keithgiles Jesus Untangled: Crucifying our Politics to Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb Jesus Unarmed: How the Prince of Peace Disarms our Violence   Other Links: Love Anyway book Love Anyway film   Edited and produced by Nicole Gibson Music: Shesh Pesh by JR Tundra

The U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) Women Building Peace Award, now in its second year, celebrates extraordinary women from conflict-affected and fragile regions working to build peace. On October 20, we honored these heroic finalists and announced the recipient of the award. In addition to honoring the awardee and all the finalists, this year USIP paid special tribute to all Afghan women. Speakers Lise Grande President and CEO, U.S. Institute of Peace Kamissa Camara Senior Visiting Expert for the Sahel, U.S. Institute of Peace Nancy Lindborg, Women Building Peace Council Honorary Chair President and CEO, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation Megan Beyer, Women Building Peace Council Co-Chair Principal, Megan C Beyer Associates Marcia Myers Carlucci, Women Building Peace Council Co-Chair Chair, Board of Trustees at National Museum of Women in the Arts Nelufar Hedayat Journalist, Filmmaker Michelle Howard U.S. Navy Admiral (Ret.)   For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/2021-women-building-peace-award-ceremony  

This seminar takes place in the context of Ireland and Norway's 2021-22 membership of the UN Security Council. It seeks to provide national, regional and global outlooks that relate to national security, well-being and prosperity. While focusing on the three main institutions for peace and security – UN, EU and NATO – the panel of experts also offer national perspectives. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney T.D., provides opening remarks at this seminar. The panel includes: Jacqui McCrum, Secretary General of the Department of Defence Ambassador Øystein Bø, Permanent Representative of Norway to NATO Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces Dr Kari M. Osland, Senior Research Fellow for Peace, Conflict and Development at NUPI About the Speakers: Jacqui McCrum joined the Department of Defence as Secretary General in August 2020. Prior to that, she served as Deputy Secretary General in the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. Previously, she was the Director General and Accounting Officer in the Office of the Ombudsman, Offices of the Information Commissioner and Commissioner for Environmental Information, among others. Ambassador Øystein Bø was appointed as Norway's Permanent Representative to NATO in 2018. Previously, he was a Senior Advisor in the Section for Security Policy and North America and served as State Secretary for the Norwegian Ministry of Defence from 2013. Lieutenant General Seán Clancy is the newly appointed Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces. Previously, he served as the Deputy Chief of Staff served in appointments including Squadron Commander, Chief of Air Staff Support in Air Corps Headquarters and Director of the Strategic Planning Branch on the Chief of Defence's Staff. Dr Kari Osland is a Senior Research Fellow in the Research Group for Peace, Conflict and Development at NUPI. Her work focuses predominancy on conflict dynamics, insurgencies, peace operations and peace building. Dr Osland has provided consultancy work to the UN, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and to the Norwegian Policy Directorate. She has work experience in the Balkans, Afghanistan and in Africa (Niger, South Sudan, Sudan).

Martin Brooks, President of Peace Catalyst, and his wife Susan join us for the first episode in this series featuring our very own Peace Catalyst peacebuilders. Martin has been with Peace Catalyst since 2011 when he and Susan moved back to the U.S. from Turkish Cyprus. The Brooks are based in Louisville, KY and they join Keith and Becca to talk about the origins of Peace Catalyst, their own personal peacebuilding journey, and some of the best stories from their work in Kentucky.   Links: How to Heal Our Divides (book): https://www.amazon.com/How-Heal-Our-Divides-Practical/dp/B0948LPPFS/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=how+to+heal+our+divides&qid=1631034258&sr=8-1 Peace Catalysts by Rick Love (book): https://www.peacecatalyst.org/shop/peace-catalysts-book-1 Join Keith and Becca's Peacemaking Cohort Discussions: https://www.peacecatalyst.org/events/christian-peacebuilding-network-shalom-cohort-ecsew Christian Peacebuilding Network: https://www.facebook.com/groups/christianpeacebuildingnetwork Podcast Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/819725478634711   Edited and Produced by Nicole Gibson Music: Shesh Pesh by J.R. Tundra

Janmejay Singh is one of the participants in the Jai Jagat march. He has worked with cinema, fiction and documentary, as director-editor and occasionally cinematographer for a variety of projects in India. https://www.jaijagatinternational.org/marchers/janmejay-singh-india/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqqKcpg2gVKekXZT6VFf7Gg/featured Sigrid Roman is a doctoral candidate in education at the University of Toronto. Her principal teaching and research area concentrates on education and political violence and conflicts, intervention, prevention and social change. Sigrid is also a visual artist whose work explores and examines the embodiment and shifting perceptions of peace, violence and human connection. https://ca.linkedin.com/in/sigridroman Instagram @signyaucafe Alejandra Barahona, known as Bara, is an active artist, illustrator and educator from Guatemala. She specializes in characters inspired by her daily life and paints subjects that address questions regarding social interests, philosophy and human behaviour. Bara is the founder of El Nido Art Studio, exhibiting her work around the globe and has an amazing number of followers on Facebook. Her workshops focus on women's empowerment through art. http://alebarahona.com https://www.facebook.com/colormebara/ Sakura Saunders is a member of World BEYOND War's board, an environmental justice organizer, Indigenous solidarity activist, arts educator and media producer. She is a cofounder of the Mining Injustice Solidarity Network and a member of the Beehive Design Collective. She currently resides in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where she works in solidarity with the Mi'kmaq resisting Alton Gas. She is also a board member of the Halifax Workers Action Centre and volunteers at the community arts space, RadStorm. https://weestore.myshopify.com/collections/posters/products/mesomerica-resiste https://twitter.com/sakura1979?lang=en www.speakingourpeace.com Twitter and IG: @ourpeacepodcast Facebook: Speaking Our Peace

In the sixth episode, Tamar speaks with Scilla Elworthy, who has been nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize for her work in developing dialogue between nuclear policy makers worldwide. Tamar and Scilla speak about how global peace is attainable in our lifetimes, and which skills are critical for our personal inner-peace. For episode notes, visual notes, and practical tips, see our website: https://www.aworldfromscratch.com/episodes/episode6-building-peaceAlso, come follow us and engage with us on Instagram @aworldfromscratch 

Jen is joined by first-time podcast guest Laura Fabrycky and ERB editor Chris Smith for a rich and impassioned conversation about the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, political theology, and the role of reading in a contentious political culture.Laura Fabrycky is an American writer, diplomatic spouse, and mother of three, currently residing in Brussels, Belgium. Her book, Keys to Bonhoeffer's Haus: Exploring the World and Wisdom of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, is a historically grounded memoir of her experience as a volunteer guide at the Bonhoeffer-Haus in Berlin. Laura has also published a book of poetry called Give Me the Word, and she has recently been accepted as a PhD student at the Evangelical Seminary of Leuven.Books & Articles Mentioned:Keys to Bonhoeffer's Haus: Exploring the World and Wisdom of Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Laura FabryckyThe Early Church Saw Itself as a Political Body. We Can Too. by Tish Harrison WarrenSlow Church: Cultivating Community in the Patient Way of Jesus by C. Christopher Smith and John PattisonChrist and the Common Life: Political Theology and the Case for Democracy by Luke BrethertonPatient Ferment of the Early Church by Alan KreiderThe Desire of the Nations: Rediscovering the Roots of Political Theology by Oliver O'DonovanPlaying God: Redeeming the Gift of Power by Andy CrouchThe Color of Compromise: The Truth About the American Church's Complicity in Racism by Jemar TisbyHow to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the JourneyToward Racial Justice by Jemar TisbyThe Moral Imagination: The Art and Soul of Building Peace by John Paul LederachReading for the Common Good: How Books Help Our Churches and Neighborhoods Flourish by C. Christopher SmithReading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope by Esau McCaulleyPsalms: The Prayerbook of the Bible by Dietrich BonhoefferCultural Liturgies Series by James K.A. SmithAcedia & Me: A Marriage, Monks and a Writer's Life by Kathleen NorrisThe Cloister Walk by Kathleen NorrisNot the Way It's Suppose to Be: A Breviary of Sin by Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.The Sin of Sloth: Acedia in Medieval Thought and Literature by Siegfried WenzelPolitical Emotions: Why Love Matters for Justice by Martha NussbaumPolitical Affections: Civic Participation and Moral Theology by Joshua HordernDeacon King Kong: A Novel by James McBrideThe Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother by James McBrideThe Good Lord Bird: A Novel by James McBrideFeeling for Books: The Book of the Month Club, Literary Taste and Middle-Class Desire by Janice Radway

Ben Cook is an Associate Law Professor at BYU Law and director of the BYU Center for peace and conflict resolution. He is a Utah court-qualified mediator, and has developed and delivered workshops on dispute resolution in cities across the United States and in various countries. He is an Arbinger Institute certified facilitator, and co-author of the book "Advanced Negotiation and Mediation: Concepts, Skills, and Exercises." Professor Cook earned a J.D. from Georgetown University, and master's degrees in international development and comparative education, as well as a bachelor's degree in English, magna cum laude, from BYU.

Jeff Maness – April 12, 2020 The Good News of Easter is that Jesus can change our eternity. But, the resurrection of Jesus doesn’t just change my eternity; it changes my every day. How does the resurrection change my today? Easter 2020: Power, Peace, Purpose Big Idea: The resurrection of Jesus doesn't just change my eternity; it changes my every day. Big Question: How does the resurrection change my today? Main Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:58 (The Passion Translation) 1 Corinthians 15:58a So now, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 3 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:58a So now, beloved ones, stand firm and secure. 1. It gives me power New Living Translation = Be strong and immovable. 13 Remember to stay alert and hold firmly to all that you believe. Be mighty and full of courage. 1 Corinthians 16:13 (TPT) 1 Corinthians 15:58b Live your lives with an unshakable confidence. 2. It gives me peace John 20:19-21 19 That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! Psalm 16:8 8 I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. John 14:27 27 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Peace be with you,” he said. 20 As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! 21 Again he said, “Peace be with you. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. 3. It gives me purpose 58 So now, beloved ones, stand firm and secure. Live your lives with an unshakable confidence. We know that we prosper and excel in every season by serving the Lord, because we are assured that our union with the Lord makes our labor productive with fruit that endures. John 20:21 21 “As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” On Spotify Search “Prayer Walk Playlist” by elementchurch www.elementgivesback.life

Join Alaska World Affairs Council and Nancy Lindborg, President/CEO of the United States Institute of Peace, to discuss the global challenge of fragility and conflict, including a vision of the way forward.

Michael von der Schulenburg will discuss the shortcomings of the UN Charter to regulate foreign military interventions and paradoxes in UN peacekeeping The character of wars is changing. Today, wars between nation-states have largely disappeared and armed conflicts between states and belligerent non-state actors have become predominant. But has the international community found the right answers to deal with such intrastate armed conflicts? Schulenburg will argue, no. In a future world of 11 billion people, intra-state conflicts are likely to increase. Finding better answers to address this is becoming, and will continue to be, ever more pressing. But would this be possible in a world of increasing great-power rivalries? Mr Schulenburg will discuss the shortcomings of the UN Charter to regulate foreign military interventions and paradoxes in UN peacekeeping as well as ambiguities in determining the legitimacy of embattled governments and in responding to armed non-state actors. He will review problems of interpreting self-determination and identifying national identities and describe resulting difficulties in implementing ceasefire and peace agreements or in writing national constitutions and holding elections. Michael von der Schulenburg, former UN Assistant Secretary General with political affairs with 34 experience working for the UN and the OSCE in many of the world's trouble spots such as in Haiti, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and Sierra Leone with shorter assignments in Syria, Somalia, the Balkan and the Sahel. His experience involved the whole range of UN activities from development and humanitarian assistance to management, political affairs and peacekeeping.

What's the connection between what happens between people in their intimate relationships and what's happening on the global stage? In this conversation with Susan, Terry Real makes those connections – clearly, powerfully and with huge insight. Terry is a nationally recognized family therapist, author and teacher in the United States. He's particularly known for his groundbreaking work on men and male psychology as well as his work on gender and couples. He's been in private practice for over 25 years and has appeared often as a relationship expert on popular shows in the United States like Good Morning America, ABC News, media venues such as Oprah 2020, The Today Show, CNN, The New York Times. A statement that Susan most associates with Terry is “to walk into intimacy, men and women must walk out of patriarchy.” And his unorthodox approach to couples' therapy, which is essentially mediation at the intimate level, is “ whenever I have a woman who's in trouble in a couple, my first move is to empower the woman, and whenever I have a man in trouble in the couple, my first move is to empower the woman.” “Women's voices”, he believes, “are the voices that will be the wedge into patriarchy. Men will catch up, but women will lead the charge.” This is a powerful metaphor for why Susan believes that empowering women, and getting gender right on the planet, is the most impactful peacebuilding initiative we can undertake. When Susan asks Terry to make the links between the intimate and the global, he says “it is dead easy, it's about the basic mistake of patriarchy which is also known as dominion. The essential mistake of patriarchy is that as a man -- and patriarchy is masculinity writ large -- you are to be in control, you are above nature, you are Lord and Master, whether you are above the nature of your child, above the nature of your own vulnerabilities or nature as embodied by your wife or mother nature.” He also goes on to say that masculinity is basically at war with itself between the old model, the patriarchal model, and the new model, what he calls an ecological model, emerging especially among millennial men. He says that “the shift from a dominion model to a collaborative model, or the shift from a patriarchal model to a democratic model, is that you move out of the hubris, the pride, the delusion that you are above nature, and standing above the system, whatever that system is: your marriage your family your planet. You're not standing above this system, you're in it; you are a subcomponent part of it and you have to move inside the system effectively with the humility and clear perception of where you are in it.” Powerfully he says, "the delusion of dominance is lethal. . . Let me say that again because I conclude many of my talks this way: we will move beyond patriarchy or we will die. It's that simple." And addressing women, Terry says "Women are up to their eyeballs with co-dependency whether it's mothers tearfully and pridefully sending their sons off to war or women voting for Trump in the United States and places like that". He says that “whenever he has a woman who fears that speaking truth to power will have repercussions. . . I will never dismiss or pathologize these concerns because guess what, there are consequences. . . but ultimately you should do it anyway . . .because life is better when we speak up. . . when you have congruence inside your skin.”

Join us in conversation with Graeme Simpson, US Director of the non-profit Interpeace, and lead author of the United Nation's flagship Progress Report on Youth, Peace, and Security. The highly participatory process of producing this work has been as important as some of its findings. Hundreds of youth across dozens of countries were involved in developing recommendations that underscore, among many other things, how young people are creative sources of peace, confronting their stereotype as primary perpetrators of violence. The young people that Graeme engages with question the efforts of peacebuilding institutions to “bring youth to the table”, highlighting a marginalisation and mistrust of governments and global institutions that has huge and troubling implications, yet at the same time inspires us with alternative, creative forms of organising and peacebuilding in a modern world. Graeme's work shines a light on a glaring disconnect between the “integrated lived experience of people caught up in violent conflict”, and our national and global policies and organisations, which divide peace and conflict up into illusionary stages and distinct themes that are intimately connected on the ground. As with Graeme's earlier work founding and leading South Africa's Centre for Violence and Reconciliation, our approaches to supporting people and societies need to be better integrated and less siloed according to outsider priorities, and better at “listening down” to affected communities so we can “talk up” to donors and policy makers. We end by touching upon gender, where Graeme challenges the stereotype of the girl as a victim and the boy with the gun. Graeme is an articulate and passionate speaker whose policy work is deeply grounded in the lived experience of people experiencing conflict and forging peace. You can review a detailed version of the show notes with full links and a copy of his biography here: https://www.susancoleman.global/sn-32-graeme-simpson

In this episode, Susan interviews Charles Crawford, who was the British Ambassador for Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1996-1998, Serbia and Montenegro from 2001-2003, and Poland 2003-2007. Crawford previously served as a British Diplomat to the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, South Africa, and Russia. Susan got to know Charles when they were working together conducting a leadership development program for senior women in the Afghan government. Crawford led the component on speech writing – a topic he knows a good deal about. (See Speeches for Leaders, his website and other info in the shownotes.) He is a great storyteller with an amazing assortment of anecdotes from a rich and interesting life. In this episode, Crawford talks about his early days as an ambassador in war-torn Bosnia. With colorful detail, he tells the tale of being part of the ambassadorial group attempting to bring conflicting parties together across ethnic lines. He describes his early days arriving in Bosnia and seeing the absolute destruction of war. He observes that the places massacres occurred in the Bosnian war were the very same as where they happened in World War I, II and maybe earlier -- perhaps “pay back” for sins inflicted on grandparents. He describes the large industry that pops up during peace negotiations – foreign nationals pouring in, eating too much, getting paid too much in comparison with the local population, an assortment of issues arising including things like prostitution. He provides perspective such as – the internet did not exist when he went to Bosnia and reflects on the potential uses the internet can provide now in peacebuilding efforts. He talks about the dilemma of having to engage the worst leaders if you want a deal – something that will suit the extreme ends of a conflict and might not serve the moderate middle. Most noticeably, in contrast to the many processes explored on this podcast, he describes the typical but top-down approach of building peace in Bosnia and the very real influence of the American president at the time, Bill Clinton, who needed an international policy success with ordinary people having little or no say whatsoever in this peace process. Charles was also in South Africa during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission process held there. He talks about the difference between a justice and reconciliation lens with the latter not applied here. He posits that it's reconciliation that is needed if you want a real break from the past and this did not happen in Bosnia. Please enjoy this episode. Charles Crawford is an amazingly bright and interesting teller of a complicated and relevant tale for those interested in creating a more peaceful world.

Are there ways to use technology to build peace? How much is misinformation from social media impacting an electorates' thinking about what they want? Is it possible to create an online process of deliberative democracy to allow citizens to freely express their views and arrive at outcomes that are more closely aligned with fact and the public good? Can you bring people together online in conversation from opposite ends of the political spectrum to have constructive dialogue about issues that affect everyone? In this episode, Susan interviews Elvira Maria Restrepo, University of Miami Professor and special advisor to President Santos on the peace building process in Colombia. Elvira talks about her personal journey and the influence on her of growing up in a country that has been at war for her entire lifetime, from the period of La Violencia, through the more recent conflicts between the government, the paramilitaries and the FARC, to the historic signing of a peace accord this last year. She talks about how the Colombian experience has formed her understanding of the need for social inclusion and justice as the underpinnings of building peace. She then goes into describing a super interesting experiment that she is spearheading to use an WebApp for citizen engagement around the peace process in Colombia. She and her team have been studying the impact of social media on citizen awareness and social division. Misinformation generated from social media, especially Facebook, has had a huge impact on the outcomes of the peace referendum in Colombia as with Brexit, the Trump election in the U.S. and elsewhere. The App is an attempt to engage Colombians in a non-partisan debate to create a more informed citizenry and build common ground around the peace process, which is a hugely polarized topic. The App is based on the theory of deliberative democracy that has been applied in many parts of Europe and North America around many types of social issues. However, it is the first time an App of its sort has been created and applied to a conflict situation of this sort. In spite of the fact that you can't reach many parts of Colombia by road, more than 50 % of Colombians have access to the internet and 80% of those go on line via Facebook. The way the App works is “players” are grouped in diverse pods of 5 who think differently from each other on an issue. The idea is that through deliberation, dialogue the group will not necessarily reach consensus but rather the best conclusion for all (i.e. the public good) and greater understanding of different perspectives. So far, the testing with 100 individuals has shown an important trend to depolarize the extreme positions which is the expected outcome of deliberation. Topics can include land, system of justice for ex-combatants, tax issues, gender relations and can bring together in conversations diverse perspectives such as bankers and house cleaners. The link to the App can be accessed here if you are interested in participating and can speak Spanish. Webapp Atrévete http://atrevete.co/rc/. All feedback is welcome as the technology is tested. This episode is sure to engage your thinking about creative ways to bring people together across the divides of difference. And, of course, the possibilities for scaling in other contexts around the world are endless.

Serendipitous interventions in our chosen career path can yield surprisingly satisfying results. Dr. Kathleen Kuehnast set out for an academic career in anthropology but found herself in the middle of a crisis situation while working on her dissertation in the post-Soviet country of Kyrgyzstan. Setting aside her academic aspirations, she accepted the call to action from the World Bank to help Muslim women adapt to the complex social and economic changes during the post-Soviet transition in the 1990s. This single act would set in motion a full and ongoing career in international development, unification of gender interests, and helping people in conflict work toward peace. Dr. Kuehnast's work reminds us all to be open to unplanned opportunities in our career paths along the way – and to recognize that each and every one of us can be every day peacemakers, if only we choose to be.

One cannot be a good student of the Science of Mind who is filled with fear and confusion. We must keep ourselves in a state of equilibrium, in a state of poise, peace, and confidence, in a state of spiritual understanding. Let us align with our powerful selves. In this, we can approach making choices as a spiritual practice. What will happen if we take the risk? What will happen to us if we don't? Positive change is choosing to take on the uncertainty of life on our own terms, with passionate curiosity and life-long learning.